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Bluecatfish on Fork #12708314 04/08/18 08:21 PM
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Sandblaster Offline OP
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Are there any blues on Fork or at least maybe a small population that TPWD didn't stock in this lake? The reason why I ask is because there are a few people I have spoken to who say that there is a different type of blue, they call them "river blues" and or "high fin blues". Is there any truth to this?

Thanks


"It has been said that the Lord does not count the days spent fishing against your total allotment."
Wet Rooster Jigs Fishing Super Store
Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12708376 04/08/18 09:10 PM
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littlewheel Offline
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What I understand is that there are channel cat, blue cat and Appaloosa . I catch a very small amount of blues on Fork. That is not to say there arent that many, just the type of catfishing I do I dont catch that many.


Shannon Wheeler
Lake Fork Channel Catfish Guide
Cheeseologist at Stubbys Cheesebait
903-987-2315
Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12708404 04/08/18 09:31 PM
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Sandblaster Offline OP
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ok thanks, seems like on Fork drifting is completely out of the question.


"It has been said that the Lord does not count the days spent fishing against your total allotment."
Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12708425 04/08/18 09:54 PM
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J Lowe Offline
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I don't believe the whole difference in blue cats deal.. a blue cat is a blue cat..

As far as drifting goes, you can definitely catch channels using that technique. Just downsize baits and tackle a bit.

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12709638 04/09/18 07:51 PM
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G Love Offline
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There are Channel Cats, Blue Cats, and Flatheads. There are nicknames for Blues and Flatheads but to your OP, a "high fin blue" is a Blue Cat.

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12710382 04/10/18 11:11 AM
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Sluggo Offline
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D & B Strain Blue Catfish

The D&B strain of blue catfish got its name at the D&B Fish Farm in Crockett, which has since gone out of business. This famous strain was also shared by the Catfish Meadows hatchery, the precursor to Overton Fisheries, and continues to exist today as broodstock and fingerlings. Also know as Forktail Cats, Silver Cats, White Cats, or Humpback Blues, locally they are affectionly referred to as High-Fin Blues. We have customers all over the state of Texas that have purchased this strain from our hatchery for over 30 years. These customers are extremely loyal and just as attached to the stain as we are. It is not unusual for a customer to drive 200 miles to pick up 100 High-Fin Blues. These blue cats have the potential to outgrow channel catfish in your fishery, and they are twice the fighter. They will straighten a hook in seconds.

Species History and Development - The D&B strain of blue catfish got its name at the D&B Fish Farm in Crockett TX which is no longer in operation. This strain was developed from pure broodstock but cultivated for stocking private waters where feeding prepared fish food was sometimes used to allow for increased stocking rates. This strain was also shared by the Catfish Meadows hatchery and continues to exist today as broodstock and fingerlings at Overton Fisheries.

Average Life Span Average 20 - 25 years

Spawning Season - Spawning occurs between late Spring and early Summer when temperatures are between 70 and 78 degrees.

Growth Rate With adequate food supplies can grow from 5 pounds annually.

Maximum Size potential Not unusually for adults to reach

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12710409 04/10/18 11:52 AM
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Txmedic033 Offline
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popcorn Well????????

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sluggo] #12710469 04/10/18 12:43 PM
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J Lowe Offline
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Originally Posted By: Sluggo
D & B Strain Blue Catfish

The D&B strain of blue catfish got its name at the D&B Fish Farm in Crockett, which has since gone out of business. This famous strain was also shared by the Catfish Meadows hatchery, the precursor to Overton Fisheries, and continues to exist today as broodstock and fingerlings. Also know as Forktail Cats, Silver Cats, White Cats, or Humpback Blues, locally they are affectionly referred to as High-Fin Blues. We have customers all over the state of Texas that have purchased this strain from our hatchery for over 30 years. These customers are extremely loyal and just as attached to the stain as we are. It is not unusual for a customer to drive 200 miles to pick up 100 High-Fin Blues. These blue cats have the potential to outgrow channel catfish in your fishery, and they are twice the fighter. They will straighten a hook in seconds.

Species History and Development - The D&B strain of blue catfish got its name at the D&B Fish Farm in Crockett TX which is no longer in operation. This strain was developed from pure broodstock but cultivated for stocking private waters where feeding prepared fish food was sometimes used to allow for increased stocking rates. This strain was also shared by the Catfish Meadows hatchery and continues to exist today as broodstock and fingerlings at Overton Fisheries.

Average Life Span Average 20 - 25 years

Spawning Season - Spawning occurs between late Spring and early Summer when temperatures are between 70 and 78 degrees.

Growth Rate With adequate food supplies can grow from 5 pounds annually.

Maximum Size potential Not unusually for adults to reach




Sounds like a regular ol blue cat to me... lol

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12711203 04/10/18 10:43 PM
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Sandblaster Offline OP
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So back to the original question: Are there blue catfish on Lake Fork irregardless of what people might call them? According to the TPWD website's stocking history, the last time Blue catfish were stocked was 1985. So I guess at one time at least there were blues. I have heard many times from many people the blues that are there are small like 3 to 5 lbs. and there isn't a big population. Just wanted to get someone else's opinion on the matter.

Thanks


"It has been said that the Lord does not count the days spent fishing against your total allotment."
Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12711295 04/11/18 12:28 AM
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Jerod Pontello Offline
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Yes there are blue cat in fork

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12711318 04/11/18 12:50 AM
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Drawout Offline
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yes they are there , ive only caught a few but bighest was 25 lbs .

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12712527 04/11/18 11:15 PM
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Funkywinkerbean Offline
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I was told by several people that here are blue cats in Fork because there are blue cats in the Sabine river. Makes sense to me.

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12712545 04/11/18 11:31 PM
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Jerod Pontello Offline
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I wouldnt think there is a lake of any size that doesnt have blues

Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12712977 04/12/18 05:24 AM
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Catfish Lynn Offline
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Lake Fork has Channels, Blues, and Yellows. However, it is mainly a ChannelCat Lake. I made the mistake & looked at the records (biggest caught of all 3). Due to my Catfish Calendar, the Tourney was to fall on BC days. So I geared bait towards Blues for both days. Me, my sister & my niece fell flat. I think my niece got 2 (only realized it when she reeled it in to check bait). The record of that tourney was about 13# & it was a ChannelCat. Caught on shrimp.

As to Blues, yes, my Dad called them Humpback Blues & he was a river fisherman. First time I heard of them as High Fin Blues was at Running Branch Marina at Lake Limestone. If not mistaken the record 36# for Limestone caught in February 2003 was a High Fin Blue. He got his certificate, but the record was broken again within a month. I myself have caught a lot of Humpback Blues in rivers mostly. Interesting as to the stocking. From what Ronny told me at Lake Limestone (he grew up on the river there before the lake), he said most in the Lake now are current bred. In other words, as to my understanding, they (most were not the original Blues.

If you look in the TP&W guide each year, it explain the Catfish, be it Blue, or Channel, as being or having hybrids and/or subspecies.

It does not mention that about Yellows, but as to my experience, I classify them as PJs or Ops. I have found that the Ops are, or have, some sort of splotchy skin or spots. Thus the title of Opelousas (like an Appaloosa horse, may not be spelled correctly), of which Op is the shortened name. But also, they tend to be shorter & stockier (more powerful). The Plain Janes tend to not have spots or splotches, but they tend to be longer & more pliable (strong, but not as much as the others. That is my observation over 40 years. My two YellowCat teachers (around 1979/1980) never shared their thoughts on that angle.


Lynn
aka "Catfish"
Re: Bluecatfish on Fork [Re: Sandblaster] #12713302 04/12/18 02:43 PM
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HumanSeine Offline
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I catch a few blue catfish on Lake Fork. As far as drifting on Fork it does work but you do loose some tackle. When i drift i usually use some cut bait or shrimp. I like catching fish so mostly i achor or tie and use Stubbys Cheese bait.

Last edited by HumanSeine; 04/12/18 02:44 PM.
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